American Red Wolf SAFE Program Action Plan 2019-2022

Home , Captive breeding, Endangered Wolf Center, Red wolf, Wolf reintroduction

Submitted by Program Leader Chris Lasher North Carolina Zoo

With Red Wolf SSP, Canid and Hyenid TAG, Program Partners and Advisors

Table of Contents

Background…………………………………………………………………..……. 3

Program Goal……………………………………………………………………… 4

Program Participants………………………………………………………………. 6

Conservation Target……………………………………………………………….. 6

Status of Taxa within AZA Community…………………………………………... 6

AZA Conservation and Public Engagement Activities…………………………… 7

Conservation Status……………………………………………………………….. 10

Recovery Plan …………………………………………………………………….. 10

Threats…………………………………………………………………………….. 12

Program Objectives……………………………………………………………….. 13

Program Summary Table………………………………………………………….. 15

References…………………………………………………………………………. 23

Background

The American Red Wolf (Canis rufus) is one of the most endangered canids in the world. Red wolves are mostly brown and buff colored with some black along their backs, often with a characteristic reddish color on their ears, head and legs. They have tall pointed ears and long, slender legs with large feet. They once inhabited a vast region from the Gulf Coast north to the Ohio River Valley and southern New York, east to the Atlantic coast and west to central Texas. They were the apex predator of the Eastern United States preying on white tail deer, raccoons, rabbits, rodents and other smaller mammals.

The wolves were driven to near extinction by the 1970s due to habitat loss, widespread persecution of predators and hybridization with coyotes. At that time, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) began an aggressive conservation effort – the American Red Wolf Recovery Program which removed the final wild red wolves from southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas. These last fourteen remaining pure red wolves would become the founders of the current population. The primary recovery objectives were to protect and promote the growth of a non-hybridizing population of red wolves in the wild, and sustain an active captive component. Together these efforts will help maintain the genetic integrity of the species.

Program Goal

The American Red Wolf SAFE Project partners are committed to the conservation efforts for the American Red Wolf. These efforts include maintaining a healthy and viable population of red wolves under human care, growing education and awareness efforts, and aiding research vital to supporting the recovery and management of this species.

The goal for this initial American Red Wolf SAFE Action Plan is to increase capacity for red wolves under human care over the next 3 years from the current capacity of 225 to the USFW recommended minimum capacity of 330 wolves in the Species Survival Plan (SSP). 330 wolves are needed in the SSP population to maintain genetic diversity above 80% for the next 150 year according to the most recent population viability analysis (Faust et al. 2016 - Red Wolf PVA). To increase the population under human care to this recommended capacity, 50 new spaces in the next 3 years will need to be identified. With 330 wolves in the SSP, it will become a source/assurance population for any additional recovery areas that are identified by USFWS.

In addition to increasing the population under human care, the goal of this action plan is to identify methods to educate and engage guests, non-government organizations (NGOs), governments and land owners in recovery areas about the benefits the red wolf provides to the ecosystem and economies of the areas where reintroduction efforts are focused.

Wolf recovery is rife with conflict – often deep-rooted identity conflict. Conservation efforts that do not take the human dimension into account often deepen the conflict and are destined to fail. Myriad studies on conflict have demonstrated that animals (in this case, red wolves), ecosystems, and communities are better served by processes that bring people together in respectful dialogue and genuine collaboration. Conflict is continuously present in human relationships; it tends to emerge when disruption occurs (e.g. reintroduction of a large carnivore) and is the inevitable outcome of human interaction. If left unaddressed or unresolved, it becomes more complicated and intractable. In the case of human wildlife conflict, if left unresolved, it can be an impediment to conservation efforts (Madden 2014). As science has borne out time and again, when humans and wolves are forced to share the landscape, it is often the social carrying capacity rather than the biological carrying capacity that will determine their fate (Treves 2006). A stakeholder process that represents a community of place and community of interest, and is participatory and inclusive, can result in a pragmatic approach the problem.

There are myriad mitigation/mediation strategies that attempt to resolve surface- level conflict; however, these methods typically do not address the underlying or deep- rooted social issues that can ultimately decrease or dissolve receptivity to conservation goals. Conservation Conflict Transformation (CCT) should be encouraged as the mechanism for a robust stakeholder process. Foregrounded in the field of peacebuilding, CCT attempts to transform both micro and macro level conflict through a set of theories, principles, and processes that focus on capacity building and strive to promote resilient human communities that can better coexist with wildlife. The CCT approach supports

4 coexistence by focusing on integrated solutions that address the cultural, social, ecological, economical, and political complexities of a given community (Madden 2015). According to its founder, Francine Madden: By addressing the more elusive and deep-rooted social side of conflict through CCT, communities and decision-makers are more receptive to community and conservation goals, polarization of conflict decreases, shared common ground is identified and built upon, hostile relationships are transformed and commitments to positive change are genuine and on-going. By creating these more constructive social conditions, efforts to address the more tangible evidence of the conflict are more successful and sustainable (2015). CCT focuses on capacity building and developing relationships needed to foster dignity, trust, and respect among stakeholders. This dignity, trust and respect humanizes the “other” and creates conditions where stakeholders can move from “an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality to a more inclusive and genuine ‘we’” (Madden 2014). CCT has typically been deployed once conflict has developed, but given how controversial the wolf issue has been in every other state that currently has them, it seems pragmatic to develop these capacities before wolves are released into a newly identified reintroduction site. If there is “underlying conflict,” which is a history of unresolved disputes, or “identity-based/ deep- rooted conflict,” which involves values, beliefs, or social-psychological needs, stakeholders will have already begun to work through these complex, often protracted, issues by the time the “dispute,” which is the obvious, tangible manifestation of a conflict (in this case, wolves) arises (Madden 2014). This process, if done well, leads to more durable solutions. Persistence of the American Red Wolves would be greatly served by such a process and as such, AZA should find ways to encourage, endorse and support such a process.

Program Participants

Program Leader: Chris Lasher, North Carolina Zoo, [email protected], 336-879-7670 Vice Program Leader: Regina Mossotti, Endangered Wolf Center, [email protected], 636-938-5900 Secretary: Kelly Cox, Zoo Knoxville, [email protected], 865-637-5331 Treasurer: Sherry Samuels, Museum of Life and Science, [email protected], 919-220-5429 Additional Steering Committee Members: Ben Roberts - Zoo at Chehaw, [email protected], 229-430-5272 Jason Ahistus - Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, [email protected], 254-898-4243 Natalie Davis - Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, [email protected], 253-404-3664 Rebecca Bose – Wolf Conservation Center, [email protected], 914-763-2373 Wendy Spencer – Wolf Haven, [email protected], 360-264-4695 Tish Gailmard – Reflections Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, [email protected], 423-821-1160 FCC Liaison: William Pitt, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, [email protected], 540-635-6510 Education Advisor: Craig Standridge, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, [email protected], (253) 404-3690 Field Partners: Emily Weller, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, [email protected], 337-291-3090 Joe Madison, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, [email protected], (252) 473-1132 ext 245

Conservation Target

The Conservation target for this action plan is the American Red Wolf (Canis rufus).

Status of Taxa within AZA Community

The American Red Wolf is a Yellow Species Survival Program (SSP) and is part of the Canid and Hyaenid Taxonomic Advisory Group (TAG). The SSP management team makes up the entire SAFE Steering Committee. A yearly Breeding and Transfer Plan is published with 100% participation from partner institutions. There are 43 partner institutions within the SSP with a total of 262 animals under human care. On average, 30 breeding pairs are made every year with a breeding success of approximately 20%. There are between 30 and 40 pups are born annually. Currently, the SSP is at 115% capacity and will have to reduce the population unless more spaces are identified.

AZA Conservation and Public Engagement Activities

There are 28 AZA facilities that house the American Red Wolf. The numbers of red wolves housed at each facility range from 2 to close to 50. The Red Wolf SSP provides a breeding and transfer plan to all RWSSP facilities yearly. The RWSSP also provides each facility with education materials that facilities can use to engage with their guests.

Current research studies include: Red Wolf Genome Resource Banking – Karen Goodrowe Beck, PhD, General Curator and RWSSP Reproductive Advisor, PDZA and Nucharin Songsasen, DVM, PhD, Research Biologist, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Role of diet in the severity of inflammatory bowel lesions in red wolves. – Kadie Anderson, DVM, Associate Veterinarian, PDZA.

Understanding the link between gut microbiomes and inflammatory bowel disease in the red wolf. – Nucharin Songsasen, DVM, PhD, Research Biologist, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Clinical and genetic characterization of a suspected X-linked hereditary retinal degenerative disease affecting red wolves (Canis rufus). Primary contact – Freya Mowat, PhD, Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, North Carolina State University.

Smithsonian Conservation and Biology Institute hosted an American Red Wolf Science and Conservation Workshop in August of 2018. The goals of the workshop: 1) share new information on the biology and management of the species and (2) identify knowledge gaps and management/research priorities that can be implemented short-term to improve conservation both in situ and ex situ. Four discussion themes were identified which included 1) population genetics and genomic tools for helping sustain the ex situ population; 2) future reintroduction sites; 3) red wolves on the landscape; and 4) communicating to stakeholders, including the public.

Working teams were created including a communications team, fundraising team, research team and release site advisory team.

The workshop resulted in the following recommendations to USFWS: ● Complete a new recovery plan. ● Establish a red wolf recovery coordinator/team. ● Refocus on the North Carolina red wolf in situ population. ● Create a thoughtful, proactive communications strategy the builds trust and partnerships. ● Provide support to the SSP program to allow breeding centers and zoos to build space to create a self-sustaining ex situ population. ● Support high priority research for both in situ and ex situ populations. ● Partner with local governments, state governments and non-government organizations to generate needed funding for recovery.

The following recommendations were also provided to non-USFWS stakeholders: ● Publishing all scientific data on the American Red Wolf. ● Re-evaluate the PVA to ensure an ex situ population can support new recovery efforts. ● Assemble and summarize information on requirements for new potential recovery locations. ● Define issues of interest and concern for landowners in recovery locations. ● Lead in rebranding the American Red Wolf to create national and regional pride. ● Conduct congressional and agency outreach in North Carolina and other states of potential recovery areas. ● Ensure a healthy and viable ex situ population.

All original program partners to the AZA American Red Wolf SAFE Program have provided a statement of conservation activities below:

North Carolina Zoo has been involved in Red Wolf Recovery Program since 1995. A commitment to the RWSSP has been shown by having a staff member from the NCZ on the management team since 1997. Also in 1997 a propagation area for red wolves was created to help with increasing the numbers of wolves in partner facilities. In 2002 NCZ was the first captive facility to work with USFWS to bring wolf pups to the reintroduction site in Northeast North Carolina and foster captive born pups with a wild mother. In 2016 the NCZ increased their propagation area to be able to house as many as 20 wolves. We are currently in the planning phase to increase holding for red wolves to be able to house as many as 60 wolves. With this project we will also be building an education facility. The NCZ has been dedicated for many years to educate guests about the American red wolf. We see the expansion of our captive breeding facility, the continued commitment to the Red Wolf SSP and sponsoring the proposal to make the Red Wolf an AZA SAFE species as logical steps to help save this species from extinction.

Endangered Wolf Center has been instrumental in red wolf recovery since the beginning. Founders were brought to EWC to save this critically endangered American species from extinction. The first red wolf female to give birth in the wild, after reintroduction started in 1987, was from the EWC. And we continue to fight for this species, in many ways, like looking for new partnerships; for example, bringing Arkansas State University (home of the red wolf mascot) onto the conservation team.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium formally began its involvement in the Red Wolf Recovery Program in 1973 through a cooperative agreement with the USFWS to establish and coordinate a breeding program and develop husbandry techniques necessary to manage the species. Since that time, PDZA has established off-site facilities designed to advance the principles of managing red wolves for re-establishment in the wild and has worked cooperatively with the USFWS and the Red Wolf SSP on these efforts since 1987 when red wolves were first released to the wild in northeastern North Carolina. That same year PDZA received AZA’s Edward H. Bean award for long-term red wolf propagation. Pup fostering within the SSP population was initiated at PDZA in 1987 and has been expanded to include fostering SSP-born pups into wild litters as a management strategy to augment the wild population. PDZA established a red wolf sperm bank in 8

1990 that currently includes 81 males represented in the sperm bank and has also achieved two successful litters via artificial insemination. PDZA organized the first red wolf education summit in 1997 that has now become a regular part of SSP annual planning meetings. Since 2002, PDZA and Point Defiance Zoo Society’s Dr. Holly Reed Conservation Fund has awarded ~ $300,000 to support multiple red wolf projects involving both the SSP, wild populations and education initiatives.

Zoo Knoxville is extremely proud to be a part of the Red Wolf SSP and the Red Wolf Recovery Program, which was the first wolf reintroduction program of its kind and the first to use zoo-based population management as a component to support recovery. The novel use of island propagation sites to acclimate captive wolves to augment the mainland population and fostering zoo-born red wolf pups into wild liters to enhance population recruitment are just a few examples of how the Red Wolf Recovery Project has helped shape recovery efforts of other carnivore species in the United States. Zoo Knoxville has been a partner in the Red Wolf Recovery Program through involvement with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Red Wolf Species Survival Plan since 1990. We participate as one of 43 cooperating institutions that provides quality animal care and managed breeding for the zoo-based red wolf population which serves an essential genetic reservoir for their wild counterparts. We were fortunate to actively participate in the restoration attempt of this canid, once native to Tennessee, into our own backyard at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Throughout our participation in the Red Wolf SSP over the past 28 years, we continue to educate our nearly 500,000 guests per year about this ground-breaking program and the value of having red wolves on the southeastern U.S. landscape. Additionally our monetary support for the program of over $15,000 since 2010 demonstrates that the Zoo Knoxville is dedicated to red wolf conservation and restoration.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has been involved in the conservation of the red wolf since 1989. Through the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan, Fossil Rim has played a role as a breeding facility and has produced 31 pups. Fossil Rim has also been an SSP holding facility and has been willing to take wolves in to free up space for other facilities to breed. We have taken part in many research projects over the years and have even assisted in sperm collections on male red wolves. Fossil Rim has the unique ability to take on any role the SSP needs and can manage this species in any way that is advantageous to the Red Wolf population and recovery efforts. Fossil Rim is a member of the Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) and this consortium represents a large acreage of land, decades of experience in wildlife management, and experience in species’ recovery efforts and reintroduction programs. Through C2S2, we have the ability to provide resources, scientific research, and management expertise that can help create a sustainable population and push the Red Wolf Recovery program in the right direction.

The Museum of Life and Science has been a cooperator in the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan since 1992. Over 50 Red Wolves have lived at the Museum and five litters of pups have been born here since 1993.

Museum staff has served on the Red Wolf SSP Management Group for over 15 years and attended Master Plan meetings for over 20 years. We have participated in scientific advancement, collections, banking, and research studies led by multiple institutions. The Museum supports the work of the Red Wolf Coalition (RWC), the only private not- for-profit dedicated solely to the survival of the red wolf. Museum staff has served on the board of RWC for over 10 years. In this capacity, we have provided grants to Red Wolf Cooperators, allowing cooperators to attend meetings, enhance exhibits, and fund scientists’ work.

Conservation Status

The American Red Wolf is classified as endangered under the United States Endangered Species act. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the red wolf as critically endangered. The State of North Carolina, where the only wild red wolves are found, classifies the species as endangered. The American Red Wolf is not listed in CITES.

As of 2019 there are 262 wolves in the ex situ population housed in 43 partner institutions. Approximately 20-30 within an in situ population in one location in North East North Carolina. The in situ population is classified as Experimental Nonessential under the United States Endangered Species Act.

Recovery Plan

The RWSAFE team, which is composed of long time members of the RWSSP has an ongoing, close relationship with the USFWS Red Wolf Program leads. The RWSAFE Program lead work closely with the USFWS Program lead to jointly shape a recovery plan. In 1967, the American Red Wolf was first listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Preservation Act and in 1969, a red wolf captive breeding program was initiated at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. The first litter of red wolf pups born in breeding program at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium occurred in 1977, and the first experimental release of red wolves occurred on the federally protected Bulls Island in South Carolina. This was the start of the recovery plan and where experimental tracking, recapture and release techniques were first used. In 1980, the last red wolves were removed from the wild and the species was declared biologically extinct in the wild. Publication of a final rule in the Federal Register to introduce mated pairs of red wolves into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in eastern North Carolina happened in 1986, which led to the establishment of the current nonessential experimental population (NEP). The restoration of the American Red Wolf back to its historical range officially began with the release of the first red wolves to the mainland United States on September 14th, 1987. The first animals released were able to produce the first litter of pups in the wild at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge just a few months later in May of 1988. In 1991, a second recovery area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the border of North Carolina and Virginia was officially started with the 10 publication of a final rule in the Federal Register. Releases in the Great Smoky National Park began in 1992 and the first litter of pups were born in 1993. It was not until 1995 that there was an official amendment to the special rule in the Federal Register addressing private landowner concerns about reintroduced red wolves. The red wolf project ended at Great Smoky Mountains National Park due to lack of adequate food sources which was causing the wolves to leave the national park in 1998. This along with coyote introgression into NC were seen as major impacts on the possible success of recovery of the red wolf. In 2000, an adaptive management plan was implemented to address red wolf/coyote hybridization within the NEP area with great success. Coyote genetic introgression into the red wolf population was all but halted. To date only 3% of coyote introgression has occurred. The size of the wild population in North Carolina peaked at an estimated 120-130 wolves in 2006 with the use of the adaptive management plan which involved using sterile coyote as placeholders of territories until red wolves could move in. At this time, it was shown that with enough red wolves on the landscape, hybridization with coyotes was very limited. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recognized steps were needed to improve the management of the NEP, which included the need to conduct an evaluation of the Red Wolf Recovery Program in 2013. A Memorandum of Understanding on collaborative conservation of red wolves and other canids, including coyotes, on the North Carolina Albemarle Peninsula was signed by the FWS and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Soon after an independent evaluation of the NEP was asked for and performed by the Wildlife Management Institute; findings of the peer-reviewed evaluation were released. The report found that while the recovery program has shown that wolves could be successfully released and survive in the wild, FWS needs to update its Red Wolf Recovery Plan, thoroughly evaluate its strategy for preventing coyote hybridization and increase its public outreach, along with other improvements. At the same time, the NCWRC established rules to ban nighttime hunting and require permits for daytime hunting of coyotes in the five-county red wolf recovery area in eastern North Carolina. This ban on coyote hunting caused many of the local landowners to feel animosity toward the red wolf and the recovery program. In 2015, the FWS expanded the evaluation to include recovery efforts beyond the Program’s NEP to identify actions necessary to guide red wolf recovery on the landscape. Reintroductions of red wolves into the wild were suspended while additional science and research into the feasibility of species’ recovery was gathered. The existing red wolves located in North Carolina are managed in accordance with the 1995 rule ending the very successful adaptive management plan. Between 2016 and 2018 the red wolf recovery team reconvened with the intent to produce a set of recommendations for consideration by the FWS. The Service announced recovery of the red wolf in the wild is possible with significant changes that must be implemented to secure the captive and wild populations. In 2018- the USFWS published a Species Status Assessment (https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/DownloadFile/147196) and 5-year review (https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/five_year_review/doc5714.pdf) for the red wolf. The latter recommended no change in the endangered status of the red wolf under the Endangered Species Act. The service proposed a new management rule for non-essential, experimental population of red wolves in North Carolina. 11

Threats

Human-caused mortality (e.g., vehicle strikes, gunshots) can remove breeders from the wild wolf population. These threats, combined with habitat fragmentation from increasing development, allow coyotes to expand into the recovery area. Coyotes may directly compete with wolves for resources, as well as introduce diseases, and dilute wolf genetic lines through hybridization. Other threats include the lack of public lands in the historical range of the red wolf. Any recovery program must have local support from state and local governments and the private local land owners. Overcoming the perceived threats that wolves when reintroduced to an area must be part of any recovery program in order for the program to succeed. The threat of limited genetic diversity is also considered. The American Red Wolf of today is a decedent of 14 founders. Close monitoring of breeding plans under human care must take place in order to preserve as much genetic diversity as possible. Lacking any new founders to the population, the American Red Wolf will be able to maintain 80% genetic diversity for the next 100 years with proper management and increased population size.

Program Objectives

Conservation Objective 1. Increase capacity by 50 spaces in 3 years to accommodate population under human care expansion to 330 wolves in order to maintain genetic diversity in the species while supporting a recovery program.

Engagement Objective 1: Support a robust, third party neutral (TPN) process that seeks to identify and work on deep-rooted identity conflict in recovery areas (current and future) that will help foster coexistence.

Engagement Objective 2: Establish collaborative conservation-focused relationship between key stakeholders & community

Engagement Objective 3: Increase tolerance with the community in red wolf recovery area and in potential recovery area

Engagement Objective 4: Engage with communities and local governments to actively identify new release site.

Public Awareness & Involvement Objective 1. Raise public awareness and encourage positive attitudes regarding the American Red Wolf and its conservation challenges.

Public Awareness & Involvement Objective 2. Increase public involvement in American Red Wolf conservation initiatives.

Public Awareness & Involvement Objective 3. Provide support and materials to SSP partners, enabling them to target the following internal and external audiences: · General Public · Staff & Volunteers · Facility Visitors & Members · Social Media Users · Schools · Local/Regional/National Government Officials

Funding Objective 1. Set up AZA Conservation Program Dedicated Fund for the AZA American Red Wolf SAFE program

Funding Objective 2. Decide on Type of Projects to Fund and Limits of Funding

Funding Objective 3. Determine Funding Streams

Conservation Objective 1. Increase capacity by 50 spaces to assist with population growth to accommodate recovery goals

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners 1.1 Conduct a survey for SSP participants to a) Surveys completed year 1 Compare survey results with current RWSAFE management identify expansion opportunities and knowledge. Update SSP with new team capabilities of increasing their wolf knowledge. Determine if 50 new numbers/spaces based on current facility spaces meets goal. setup. 1.2 Conduct surveys for AZA facilities that are not currenta) Surveys completed year 1 Compare survey results with current RWSAFE management SSP participants to assess potential interest in knowledge. Update SSP with new team acquiring red wolves knowledge. 1.3 Identify and contact AZA facilities that a) 10-20 facilities year 1 Update SSP with new knowledge. RWSAFE management are housing coyotes, generic grey wolves, identified, (b) facilities team and other non-SSP large carnivore species contacted and surveys and inquire about joining the American Red completed Wolf program 1.4 Identify and contact AZA facilities with a) 10-20 facilities year 1 Update SSP with new knowledge. RWSAFE management North American sections and inquire about identified, (b) facilities team joining the program contacted and informed about red wolf program and need for expansion 1.5 Identify and contact reputable non-AZA a) Identify 5-10 facilities years 2-3 Update SSP with new knowledge. RWSAFE management facilities that are capable of breeding or (b) facilities contacted and team holding non-breeding/post reproductive informed about red wolf animals program and need for expansion 1.6 Draft a cover letter, which will a) Letter written first 2-3 months Have contents of letter reviewed by Red Wolf Task Force and accompany AZA’s Red Wolf SSP USFWS all RWSSP coordinators Sustainability Report, highlighting the American red wolf program, the need for increased space to reach our target numbers, and the importance of saving this species. 1.7 Create a document for recruiting non- a) document created first 3-5 months Have contents of document/letter Red Wolf Task Force and AZA partners which states red wolf b) document approved by reviewed by USFWS all RWSSP coordinators program requirements and has a partnership USFWS agreement that needs to be signed for participation.

1.8 Distribute letter/SSP sustainability a) Acknowledgement from by the end of year 1 Get feedback on value of letter/SSP Red Wolf Task Force and report to all AZA facilities and letter/partner all facilities that they sustainability report from AZA all RWSSP coordinators agreement document to all non-AZA received the information partners. facilities that have been contacted about joining the red wolf program.

Engagement Objective 1. Support a robust, third party neutral (TPN) process that seeks to identify and work on deep-rooted identity conflict in recovery areas (current and future) that will help foster coexistence.

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners 1.1 Help federal, state agencies and Identify and establish a Fall 2019 Ability to meet with key personnel Agency personnel politicians understand the need for a robust relationship with key as identified (USFWS, state Fish and third- party neutral process that engages agency personnel in order $5000 Wildlife, state wildlife stakeholders to discuss the need/benefits commissioners, local of a robust process politicians). 1.2 Endorse, encourage, and financially Establish a fund comprised TBD Ability for financially supporting SSP members, federal support the process.. of contributions from third party neutral process and state agencies, RWSSP institutions that politicians, etc. would go towards supporting TPN efforts on the ground in the recovery areas

Engagement Objective 2. Establish collaborative conservation-focused relationship between key stakeholders & community

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners 2.1 Identify vital members of Face to face meetings, Identify by Spring of 2019 Will stakeholders agree to meet and SSP, NGOs, FWS, State geographically-relevant community identifying vital members set up meetings by Fall of is there positive movement forward Agencies of the community to talk to 2019 for conservation key stakeholders (state agencies, politicians, hunting clubs, NGOs, etc).

2.2 Identify stakeholders -4 to 5 stakeholders Fall 2019 Ability for stakeholders to participate SSP members, federal and identified and able to state agencies, politicians, participate in meetings etc.

2.3 Conduct face to face meetings between -needs/desires of all parties Spring 2020 Survey to evaluate the benefits and Hunting clubs, community members, stakeholders, and identified challenges of meeting to improve conservation mediator -commonalities and future communication organizations, differences acknowledged landowners, NGOs, SSP members, federal and state agencies, politicians, etc. 2.4 Develop collaborative conservation -conservation goals Spring 2020+ -Statement of commitment from all Hunting clubs, action plan identified and agreed upon present conservation -actions, responsible -follow up meetings organizations, parties, and timeline to landowners, NGOs, SSP support conservation goals members, federal and identified state agencies, politicians, -future meetings planned etc.

Engagement Objective 3. Increase tolerance with the community in red wolf recovery area and in potential recovery area

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners

3.1 ID organizations that can fund this Research what plans have Identify partners to help by Evaluation by 2021 if communities SSP, NGO, AZA, land program. Work with NGOs and Granting worked well with other spring 2020, set up meetings are participating in incentive plan owners, state agencies Agencies to develop incentive plans carnivore recovery by summer of 2020, develop programs (i.e Pay for strategic planning by winter Presence with Mexican 2020 wolves) and develop a plan and I.D. partners to aid in implementation

3.2 Work with local schools, students and Create curriculum or lesson Identify schools willing to Implement attitude survey to students Local schools, teachers, teachers, within recovery area and potential plans for teachers for every collaborate by fall 2020 to at the beginning of the year and again PTA new recovery areas grade level about red wolf implement in 2020/2021 at the end of the year to see if minds / biology and recovery. school year attitudes have changed Identify outside red wolf representative to introduce youth about the predator in their backyard

3.3 Programming for general public about Offer free informational Identify lead education team Implement attitude survey before and Local university education red wolf biology and recovery programming via local by fall 2020 as well as after the program to evaluate if / biology department, SSP libraries, YMCA’s and venues within and attitudes and knowledge change facilities located within schools to general public surrounding red wolf driving distance recovery areas

3.4 Work with local businesses within red Provide small kiosk Identify business willing to Follow up with each business after a Local businesses wolf recovery and surrounding areas. containing red wolf participate by fall 2020. predetermined period of time. Keep Encourage business to embrace red wolves information, facts, photos Supply materials before the track of how many brochures are because of potential for tourists in red wolf and how one can help end of 2020 being taken. Offer an email sign up country. Encourage people to support for red wolf updates, photos and businesses that support local wildlife information to track reach

3.5 Work with local special interest groups Offer free informational Identify lead education team Implement attitude surveys before Local special interest such as scouts, chamber of commerce, programming to these by 2020 and after programming to evaluate groups clubs, meetups groups and encourage them changed in perceptions about red to spread the word within wolves their communities

3.6 Utilize the power of social media. Maintain platforms that Create platforms by 2020 Number of participants / followers SSP, local university Create a FB page/group or Instagram will provide knowledge, will determine success student(s) account specific to / targeting red wolf fact and current events in recovery areas to generate interest within the red wolf world and tie local communities into local communities. Will give locals a platform in which to voice their concerns in a constructive, positive way

3.7 Provide an outlet for local people to Assemble a team who will Create team by 2020 Number of interactions / contacts will SSP, local red wolf address their concerns. A person or group respond to questions and determine success representative that individuals can go to with a problem, concerns. Team should where they will be heard and the problem consist of one local person addressed in a proper, fair manner. 17

Engagement Objective 4. Engage with communities and local governments to actively identify new release site

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners

4.1 Develop site-specific engagement plans Written document with Developed as needed when 1.Assess public & local community SSP, NGOs, FWS, to help partners facilitate positive, fruitful strategic, step-by-step potential recovery areas are support for red wolf reintroduction. universities, State relationships with recovery area suggestions and guidelines. identified. Timeframe Survey’s in or near potential Agencies communities. depends on FWS recovery areas used to gauge public The community outreach plan will engage determining a potential opinion. Partner with University of the public using a developed education location for recovery and Missouri-Columbia to use survey’s program that will have 3 main universal the SAFE team partnering specifically designed to assess large talking points, but have an additional 2-3 with FWS to help work with predator-human relationship in these talking points depending on audience those communities. FWS areas. (Education task force will identify key timeframe for completing a 2. We will evaluate which mixed- stakeholder in the recovery area, using recovery plan is unknown, methods will fit with specific educators, state agencies staffs and local but they are currently communities based on their needs, community partners to help ID these working on it. demographics, ecosystem/land important stakeholders (i.e. local management issues, etc. influencers, local, state or federal representatives, local hunting/farming group leaders, local teachers, etc.). 4.2 Involve community and stakeholders in Work with FWS and local Identify ways to participate Develop survey to give to SSP, NGOs, FWS, State Red Wolf Recovery, to help develop a NGOs to develop ways to and develop plan on how to participants, pre and post Agencies connection to the animals and grow trust of have the community encourage participation by involvement to see if opinions of red FWS recovery team. (public, state agency staff, Spring 2019, implement as wolves have changed etc) participate in recovery soon as possible (i.e. care of captive animals at FWS or SSP facilities, assist FWS in trapping efforts, radio telemetry monitoring, attend (and eventually help volunteer to teach) awareness programs at the FWS’s Red Wolf Education Center in NC or in potential recovery areas, etc.). Our measurement of effectiveness will be to see if local communities participate in the programs 18

we develop, and if the participation levels increase over a 2 year period of time.

Public Awareness Objective 1. Raise public awareness and encourage positive attitudes regarding the American Red Wolf and its conservation challenges

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners

Develop simple and effective messaging 3-5 simple messages that Develop and disseminate to 1. Assess utility for SSP partners via Red Wolf Task Force and points to be used by partners. These work for all partners, with all red wolf education survey and conversation. Utility all RWSSP coordinators messages will provide a unified approach to background information. partners by September 2019. parameters will include useability, share with audiences why red wolves are perceived impact and adaptability important, what challenges they face, and (ease of adapting for specific facility why we should care. use).

2. Assess impact on target audiences RWSSP Partner via survey. Impact parameters will Facilities/Groups include understandability, resonance, attitude change, and motivational impact.

Public Awareness Objective 2. Increase public engagement in American Red Wolf conservation initiatives

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners

Utilize Empathy for Wildlife Best Practices Disseminate Empathy for Delivered to SSP partners 1. Assess effectiveness and utility for Red Wolf Task Force and as a foundation in creating a digital Wildlife background by September 2019. SSP partners via survey and all RWSSP coordinators American Red Wolf Educator Packet. material to all RWSSP Webinars conducted conversation. Parameters will These Best Practices were developed by the partners, including specific October 2019 – February include applicability, usefulness, and MECAP (Measuring Empathy: A suggestions for specific 2020. perceived impact on the target Collaborative Assessment Project) partners application to red wolves. audience. (Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Offer at least 3 Developing $2000 Woodland Park Zoo, and Seattle Empathy for Wildlife 2. Assess impact on target audiences RWSSP Partner Aquarium). They have been vetted by an webinars for RWSSP via survey. Impact parameters will Facilities/Groups international panel of experts in partners and interested focus on motivation to become Conservation Psychology, Education, and target audiences (schools, involved in red wolf conservation Audience Research; additionally they have etc.) activities after experiencing programs been field tested by over 15 AZA facilities with Empathy for Wildlife content. over the past several years.

Develop coordinated public awareness & One coordinated yearly Annually 1. Assess impact on target audiences Red Wolf Task Force and action campaign to motivate involvement of campaign or response to via survey. Impact parameters will all RWSSP coordinators all internal and external audiences. media time sensitive issue. focus on participant numbers, level of involvement, and perceptions of experience of the target audiences.

Connect the public with current American May utilize an existing Strategy implemented by Metrics will be developed to assess Red Wolf Task Force and Red Wolf conservation news & support a social media platform or February 2020. impact and other dimensions of all RWSSP coordinators. consistent platform for involvement. create a new platform engagement when strategy is Social media (requires consultation with developed. Preliminary baseline specialist/group. social media specialist). metrics will be level and depth of use, as well as effectiveness in moving audiences to involvement with selected red wolf conservation initiatives.

Public Awareness & Involvement Objective 3. Provide support and materials to SSP partners, enabling them to target the following internal and external audiences: General Public, Staff & Volunteers, Facility Visitors & Members, Social Media Users, Schools, and Local/Regional/National Government Officials. Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners

Provide comprehensive digital Red Wolf At least 25 distinct Delivered to SSP Partners 1. Assess effectiveness and utility for Red Wolf Task Force and education packet to all RWSSP partners and educational by December of 2019 SSP Partners through surveys and all RWSSP coordinators interested audiences. activities/resources for conversation. Parameters will multiple age groups, include applicability to suggested including videos, pictures audiences, ease of use (by partners), and audio files, with and perceived impacts on target suggested applications for audiences. distinct audiences (schools, awareness and action efforts zoo visitors, social media 2. Assess impact on target audiences RWSSP partners. users, etc.). Each via survey. Impact parameters will activity/resource will be include number of individuals coupled with a simple reached, motivation to participate in conservation action that the red wolf conservation actions, and target audience can actual participation in suggested accomplish/join to benefit action activities. Metrics collected red wolf conservation. will establish baseline data for the specific audiences listed in this objective.

Funding Objective 1. Set up AZA Conservation Program Dedicated Fund for the AZA American Red Wolf SAFE program

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners Locate organization that can host a SAFE Fund established 6 months RWSAFE team dedicated fund. Investigate AZA dedicated conservation funds. Work with AZA Field Conservation Committee and Advancement Committee to understand options

Funding Objective 2. Decide on Type of Projects to Fund and Limits of Funding

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners Work with SSP partners, new and old, to Database of projects 1 year database, 2 year Projects funded RWSSP Partners identify new or ongoing holding projects produced acquire funds, 3 year fund projects

Work with recovery stakeholders to identify Database of projects 1 year database, 2 year Projects funded NGOs, USFWS, SSP, new or ongoing projects that need funding produced acquire funds, 3 year fund SAFE Partners projects

Identify public awareness projects, new and Database of projects 1 year database, 2 year Projects funded NGOs, USFWS, SSP, old, that require funding produced acquire funds, 3 year fund SAFE Partners projects

Identify needs within the RWSSP that Database of needs 1 year database, 2 year Needs funded RWSSP Partners require funding (ie. Husbandry workshops, produced acquire funds, 3 year fund Meeting hosting, improved care of wolves projects under human care)

Funding Objective 3. Determine Funding Streams

Action Metrics Timeframe/Budget Evaluation plan Partners Identify grant sources Database of grant 6 months database, 1 year Grants won RWSAFE Team opportunities produced apply, 3 years grants won

Identify fundraising opportunities Database of fundraising 6 months, 1-3 years ongoing Fundraisers in place RWSAFE Team opportunities created fundraising

References:

Faust, L.J., Simonis, J.S., Harrison, R., Waddell, W., Long, S. 2016. Red Wolf (Canis rufus) Population Viability Analysis – Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago

Madden, F., and B. McQuinn. 2014. Conservation’s blind spot: The case for conflict transformation in wildlife conservation. Biological Conservation 178:97-106.

Treves, Adrian , Wallace, Robert B. , Naughton-Treves, Lisa and Morales, Andrea(2006) 'Co-ManagingHuman-Wildlife Conflicts: A Review', Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 11: 6, 383 — 396

Madden, F., and B. McQuinn. 2015. Conservation conflict transformation: the missing link in conservation. in S. Redpath, R. J. Gutierrez, K. A. Wood, and J. C. Young, editors. Conflicts in Conservation: Navigating towards solutions. Cambridge University Press, UK.